* The performance of the Rays in this postseason is the best thing that could happen for the game of baseball, win or lose. It proves that money is not the solution to winning in baseball. Manager Joe Maddon deserves many kudos, along with his staff that turned the young Rays from babies into giants. If all teams followed Tampa Bay’s example, maybe the hot dogs and beers would be cheaper at the games, along with ticket prices. No, I must have a fever thinking prices actually will go down.

RICHARD H. BUCCO

Bloomfield, N.J.

Torre can’t close

*Now there’s the Joe Torre I know: Totally mishandling a bullpen! When Torre gets into the Hall of Fame, at the bottom of his plaque, perhaps in a little attention should be paid to Mariano Rivera – because without the great Rivera of the 1990s, there would have been no Yankees ascendancy.

JIM BURNS

Valley Stream, N.Y.

Kicking Carney

* So Giants kicker John Carney, who was perfect on field goals (12-for-12) and extra points (15-for-15) while Lawrence Tynes was out with an injury, might benched or cut and Tynes, who can barely make a field goal, would replace him. That makes a lot of sense. Tynes is way too inconsistent to be the Giants’ everyday kicker.

EDWARD DROSSMAN

Manhattan

Favre from a hero

* I, for one, don’t consider Brett Favre any kind of “hero” for playing the day after his father’s death. Although most people give lip service to the belief that one’s family is much more important than one’s job, Favre, Roger Clemens, and many other athletes often seem to put their team ahead of their loved ones. It seems to me that the death of one’s father or mother should leave one too emotionally upset to even contemplate playing a game during the period of mourning. Such players often claim that the deceased “would have wanted” them to play. I think most people would like to believe that their closest family members cared for them too much to want them to go on with their regular lives at such a traumatic time.

RICHARD SIEGELMAN

Plainview, N.Y.

High and tight

* Bud Selig claims the two main reasons for Major League Baseball attendance being down this year are “the economy and gas prices.” Well, Mr. Commissioner, I believe I have two bigger and better reasons:$10 beers and four-hour games.

MIKE KIELY

The Bronx

Refund rant

* The Mets allow customers to pay for next years tickets on the team’s Web site, but you have to wait 4-5 weeks to get a refund for tickets to playoff games that were not played. If we can pay online, why can’t the fans get their money back online? Thanks again, Mets!

KEVIN MITCHELL

The Bronx

An ‘ice’ feeling

* It’s so refreshing to hear Sam Rosen announce a Rangers goal. Now I’ve finally lost the inane sounds of John Sterling rattling around my head. Serenity at last!